A/N: Hello again! I'm posting for the second time this week! I got more chapters banged out than scheduled, so you get a surprise! (Hopefully you consider it a good one!)

Thanks to my ever-faithful beta girls- Ninmesarra and prettyflour- your words of encouragement and constructive criticism are so awesome! I love them! Thanks so much! And of course, any errors remaining are mine and no reflection on them. It was sparkly (like Edward) before I messed with it again…

As always, I don't own it… Unfortunately!

~*C2C*~

My mind was reeling. Did he really just ask me that? Do I want to date him? Even if it's just as a pretense and really for my own benefit to learn how to pick up on social cues? Yeah, I'm well aware I'm socially inept. I always have been. But do I want to pretend to date the sexy god I call Eddie? That's a rhetorical question right?

His face fell. "Well, it wasn't really, no. I thought it'd give us an opportunity to hang out and get to know each other better. But, it's whatever…"

"Oh shit. Did I say that out loud? What exactly did I say?"

"Um, yeah. You asked if that was a rhetorical question," His hand was rammed through his hair, making his perfect sex-hair stand on end. It was beautiful.

"Well, you should have heard the rest of the conversation I had going on in my head. I think that sounds like a good idea. God knows I could use some help where guys are concerned. I just don't understand you guys at all. It's true that men are complete different species," I was rambling. I always ramble when I'm nervous. I didn't want him to think that I was too excited over this arrangement even though inside, I was doing flips and cartwheels and screaming. I know I'm totally into him and if he asked me, I'd totally fool around with him. That's not my usual style, but he is such an amazing person. Good Lord. Listen to me ramble- even my thoughts are a rambling train, going on and on forever. And I'm still doing it. I gave myself a mental slap and tried to concentrate on him again.

He was laughing. "That whole men are from Mars crap?" He was still laughing. "To be honest, guys don't understand girls either. Are you sure you're okay with this arrangement? We'll hang out on the weekends after I get off work? Or I can switch my schedule with Garrett. You know what, I'll work on that later. What day do you want to start this?"

"Um, it's Saturday, so we could start tomorrow or next weekend… or hell, what's good for you?"

He had a funny look cross his face and I wished I knew what he was thinking. "Tomorrow sounds perfect. I'll pick you up at your house around seven?"

"That's good for me. Are you sure…?" I didn't know if I was asking if he was sure he wanted to do this for me, if he was sure he wanted to hang out with me, if he was sure he wanted to waste his time on me… I just didn't know.

"Bella, if I didn't want to spend time with you and be better friends, I wouldn't volunteer or have you asked you if you wanted to do this," his hand reached out for my face and he lightly drew a finger down my cheek. God, just a finger trail down my face had me melting.

"I just- I don't- I mean- Ugh, I don't want to put you out or take advantage of you. That's all," I sighed in frustration at my inability to communicate.

Friends. He'd said friends. I guess every couple starts somewhere, right? Maybe I can use this opportunity to show him what he could be missing? I don't know that I'm that… seductive…

"It's fine. I promise. I don't have anything else going on, and I'd love to hang out. Trust me. I'll let you know if I just can't," he took a step closer and his thumbs were trying to smooth out the furrow between my brows.

The feel of his hands on my skin… If I'd thought him saying my name was orgasmic, this- words can't explain what he did to me in that moment. I closed my eyes and reveled in the feel of him. A shiver ran through my body and I sighed in contentment. It was warmth that spread from his fingertips throughout my body. It wasn't a tingle or electric sensation that you read about in romance novels or that I wrote in my novel, but it was so much more.

God, I'm such a sap. He just wants to be my friend and help me out and I'm dreaming of what it will feel like to have him kiss me… or to make love with him, feel his muscled body moving over mine as he pumps in and out. Holy hell, Isabella Marie. Rein those thoughts in before you start writhing in your jeans. Jesus. I can't take me anywhere.

"Um Bella, are you okay?" I opened my eyes to see him staring at me with a worried expression. I crooked an eyebrow, silently asking him why I wouldn't be. "It's just, you started breathing heavy and I wasn't sure if maybe you weren't having a panic attack or something?"

My eyes widened in surprised horror. I hadn't even noticed. In daydreaming about him, I'd totally worked myself up. I guessed it was going to be a night of love for BOB. And no, before you ask, BOB isn't a really person. He's about six inches long, and neon yellow. Yeah, I'm pathetic- I know.

I still hadn't answered Edward yet, and he was staring at me in concern, "Are you feeling okay? I mean, you were sick yesterday and then out in the cold weather today…" He gently laid his palm against my forehead, "You don't feel fevered, but you are flushed… Bella?"

"Ohmigod, I'm fine Eddie. I'm sorry. I'm just- I'm a little nervous about how this dating lesson is going to work, and I'm a little tired." Hopefully that sounded believable…

"You have nothing to worry about. I promise, nothing is going to happen that you don't want to happen. Trust me. If you're tired, you should go home and get some rest."

"Okay… I guess. Can I have a cherry sour before I go?"

"Of course you can," he moved behind the bar to make one for me.

While he worked, I asked, "What do you want to do tomorrow? That way I know how to dress?"

"Oh, um, right- that- well, what do you want to do?"

"I'm game for most anything," I thought about winking, but was afraid it would look like I had something in my eye.

His face had that weird look again and I couldn't help but wonder what the hell he was thinking. It was a sexy look, but like he wanted to take my words so many different ways. I guess it wasn't really an expression as this look in his eye. His adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed thickly, "What about the new aquarium? Have you been there yet?"

"No, I haven't. That sounds fun. So that's a jeans kind of date, right?"

"Definitely." The sound of a glass breaking and raised voices had us both spinning around quickly.

Pete, the resident drunk here, was arguing with Al, the guy that just lost the state championship boxing match. Al was huge. He wasn't cute- his nose had been broken several times and sat crookedly on his face and he had three chipped teeth, as well as several scars marring his face. His blue eyes were ice-cold. Pete was slurring accusations of throwing his match. Those were dangerous words to spew. Al moved quickly and pinned Pete to the wall, his hand around Pete's throat.

Suddenly, Eddie was at Al's side. I could see his mouth moving, but despite the eery silence that had descended, I still couldn't hear the words Eddie whispered to him. Al looked hard at Eddie and I thought Al was going to hit him. Eddie whispered something else, and I sat heart in my throat as I stared wide eyed at the scene unfolding before me.

Al dropped Pete, and Pete slumped to the floor. But now, Al was focused on Eddie and he looked madder than a hornet. Al looked over towards me, made some kind of motion, and started talking to Eddie. Eddie replied to whatever it was Al said, and while Eddie's look said he was going to kill Al, his voice never raised- I still couldn't hear him. Then, all of a sudden Al was swinging at Eddie. Eddie ducked under his arm and with a swift right hook to the jaw, Al fell to the ground. Eddie stood over him, breathing heavily and told him to get out of his bar and not come back. At least, that's what I figured he'd said since he was motioning to the door. Garrett came over and helped Al up and escorted him out of the building.

Eddie watched them leave then came back over to where I was. I grabbed his hand in both of mine and looked at his knuckles. They weren't bleeding, but they were awfully red. "What did he say, Eddie?" I'd never seen him so mad before.

"He told me to stay out of his business and to get back to my whore." He was still breathing raggedly- a testament to how angry he'd been. "I told him the only whore I'd seen my bar was his momma. And if he wanted to disrespect my patrons, he could leave."

"Oh my goodness. What- why- but- I- you-" I couldn't decide what to say and so I closed my mouth instead of continuing to sputter.

Eddie looked down at me and I could see the raging storm of emotion swirling in the green depths of his eyes. He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath, "Can I- just- Can I try something?" I nodded, and he said, "Don't move." He took a step closer, and wrapped me in his arms. He squeezed me tightly, cradling my head to his shoulder.

I inhaled the spicy scent of him. He smelled so good. I moved my arms and held them loosely around his waist. I could feel the tension slowly leave his muscles and his breathing returned to normal. He lifted his head and I raised my face to look up at him. We were just a couple of inches apart. I parted my lips and darted my tongue out to lick those dry suckers. His eyes flitted down to watch the action, and he leaned closer still, ever-so-slowly. I watched as he closed the distance between us with hooded lids. He was less than a hair away from kissing me… I closed my eyes in anticipation.

Suddenly, we were jolted from behind. Someone had slapped Eddie's shoulder. He stood up straight, still hugging me close, and I thought I heard him mutter, "Damn cockblockin' Pete." But I couldn't be sure.

Pete was slurring his thanks to Eddie for keeping Al from beating the hell out of him, and made our comfy hug an awkward group hug. He started swaying us back and forth and Eddie finally said, "Pete, get off of us or I'm throwing you out too. I've had enough of your shit tonight. You have got to learn how to keep your fucking mouth shut. I should have let Al punch you."

Pete's eyes grew large and filled with tears. He cried. Every now and then we could pick up words from his drunken sobs, "Eddie… not my friend… hates me now…" It was really pathetic.

Releasing me from his hold- much to my dismay- Eddie motioned Garrett over and told him to call a cab for Pete. His drunk-ass needed to go home.

I eased myself a little further away from Eddie. This was so uncomfortable. Did I say something about it? Did I ignore it? What was I supposed to do? Ugh… I'm such a loser.

I heard a sigh from beside me and glanced up at Eddie. He was staring at the floor and he looked as uncomfortable as I felt. "I'm sorry Bella. I-"

I cut him off before he could continue, "It's fine Eddie. I'm just going to go home now. I don't- I'll just-" I sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow? You said at seven, right?"

"Yeah, I'll pick you at seven. Let me walk you to your car?"

"Sure, but I have to take a cab," I tried to sound nonchalant about it, but inside, I was a total fan-girl, screaming like a teenager that just saw Justin Beaver- or whatever-the-hell his name is.

He slipped his hand around mine, and twined our fingers together, tugging gently on them, and leading me out the door. I watched the ground as I walked, willing myself not to trip and fall.

I was dragged to a stop when Eddie quit moving. I glanced up questioningly. "Be confident, Bella. Consider this lesson one. Trust yourself and be confident. Watch what's going on around you, don't just stare at the floor."

"Oh. Okay." Brilliant reply there, Bella.

Eddie smiled and started walking again. I glanced curiously around, while I silently pleaded with my body not to trip and fall. Finally out the door, I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"Not so bad, huh?" Eddie chuckled. "I knew you would be fine. Just gotta have some confidence and learn to trust yourself. You'll be fine."

"Ok. Thanks Eddie. I'll see you tomorrow." He hailed a cab for me, and opened the back door. He slipped the cabbie some cash and gave him my address. After one last wave, he was gone- back inside the bar to work.

The driver pulled into the lot beside the row of townhouses that mine was nestled in amongst. The few extra cars parked in visitor slots made me want to ask if we could just keep driving. I figured it would be better to just get this over with, so I stepped out of the car and went to my house. The door was flung open before I even got my keys out. Angela, Rose, and Alice stood there gawking at me.

I groaned as I was all at once bombarded with questions. Questions like who are you seeing again? What did you think of-? Did you have fun? They all stopped when I held my hand up. I was so tired all of a sudden. They were wearing me out and I'd actually ended the day on a good note. Don't get me wrong, I love my friends- they are like sisters to me, but they really can be overwhelming even though they mean well.

I pushed past them into my house, and tossed my purse on the side table. Opening the closet, I kicked off my shoes and hung up my coat. The girls followed after me like puppies as I walked to the couch and collapsed.

Alice had been kind of quiet, but the first question after we'd all sat down was, "Why the hell did you break Mike's nose?"

~*C2C*~

A/N: Ok, once again, everyone that reviews gets a teaser unless you tell me not too! :) I hope you liked this… In all fairness though, I did promise UST! Don't worry, it won't last forever! And oh yeah... we get some answers as to why Bella is so insecure next chapter! ;)

Some recs for you…

WIPs:

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The Real Life of EA Masen: by Vancouver-Canuck-Girl: Edward Cullen - to most, he's a boring book editor but he's really an elusive romance novelist with an erotic flair. When he's not writing porn, I mean romance, he's just a guy who's married to his high school sweetheart and father of three teens. Rated: M Rated: Fiction M - English - Romance/Humor - Bella & Edward - Chapters: 40 - Words: 209,660 - Reviews: 2,573 - Favs: 945 - Follows: 1,013 - Updated: 10-23-12 - Published: 04-24-12 - Status: Complete